Race Options for Vectra ??

Hi,
Many moon's ago I enjoyed racing Formula Fords and also some Auto Cross but ran out of funds..

I am now in a more fortunate position and have a very clean Vauxhall Vectra ready to convert and send away the engine for a full race prep over winter in the goal to become a racing driver again in a suitable 2009 UK club/national series.

But I've been out of things for a while and hoping to track down the possible series options for being competitive in a Vectra?
I have a budget around 20k for the year and hope you guys/dolls out there can point me in possible directions ??

Or do I need a totally different shell/engine ?
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas :p

I would immediately think of joining in the DMN or TinTops... Speak to Graham Bahr on here for some info on regs I would suggest!

I would immediately think of joining in the DMN or TinTops... Speak to Graham Bahr on here for some info on regs I would suggest!

Thanks Jon for such a quick response... will track down Graham and look into the two you suggest ! although, please forgive me... TinTops is a general name I presume and not a specific series I presume ?? or am I wrong ?

I'm a bit out of touch with the "race speak'... please go easy with me and treat me like a newbie until I find my feet again ;)

TinTops is a general name I presume and not a specific series I presume ?? or am I wrong ?
Tin Tops is the name of series organised by the BARC South East region. The Classic Sports Car Club run a series with the same name, which comprises 40 minute races.

A south-east based series maybe isn't ideal for someone in Lincolnshire, although I know some do travel from afar.

What spec is the Vectra? What engine?

Maybe consider LMA Eurosaloons, or the CSCC TinTop series (as opposed to the BARC-SE TinTops Jon mentioned).

Also the TTRS have some good value races.

A lot will depend on the spec of the car, and whether you want to be competitive in class or are just out for a good day of racing and it doesn't matter who with or if you come first or last.

James Lindridge drives a mk 1 astra in the dmn series with a lot less budget than you have avaiable, and is very competative.
But you must remeber it is more expensive to build from scratch than buy some thing that is already prepared.
There are lots of good cars changing hands at presant for very fair money.

Thanks Robert, Tim & Kipper,

Some excellent points there :) Yes... Lincolnshire (near Skegness) is a pain to be based and it means that I have to travel to pretty much anywhere for a good race... Donnington is one of the closest - BUT I LOVE Brands Hatch and also have enjoyed CastleComb in Bristol and of course Silverston and Donni.

So... what Im trying to say - is travel is part of the beast IMO ! :rotate:

I know what you mean Robert about having something already prepared.. my earlier car was an existing racer when I bought it.. in single seater days the car was brand new! I found buying an existing racer is quicker to get going... but I had to make do with the construction decisions made by the original conversion... whereas this time around I'd like to set the car up just how I want it from scratch and understand the machine inside out.

Tim - My sponsor will only expect front end racing so I have to deliver and have never been an 'also ran' - I have too much of a competitive spirit :laugh:

Currently the engine is 16valve V-Tec DOHC fuel injected 1600cc without ever being stressed... I've owned the car from brand new. I'm hoping that it can be seriously modified to the edge of what is possible within whatever is the best race class for it to belong to, as an entry for me back into racing.

I am concerned over the shell as its a 5door hatch model and wonder if I can get the weight down safely to the minimum for whatever class it needs to be entered into. No point putting it in a class where the p/w ratio gives me a noticeable disadvantage that can't be covered by equipment and driving !!

With this in mind... what thoughts do you guys have? Straight up.... I have no ego to bruise if you think I'm barking mad then tell me :D If there is a suitable class for such a car to be competitive then I really appreciate any insight you can supply me. Are there benefits to BARC or LMA or CSCC or TTRS over each other ?

Doh !

Did I say V-TEC ..... I meant ECO-TEC... hoping maybe I can modify it up to 1750cc-ish to fit within Class C LMA for example ! with sequential box, race clutch, race breaks, adjustables, slicks & wets etc.

Doh !

Did I say V-TEC ..... I meant ECO-TEC... hoping maybe I can modify it up to 1750cc-ish to fit within Class C LMA for example ! with sequential box, race clutch, race breaks, adjustables, slicks & wets etc.


Ok... thanks to you guys pointing me in the right direction I have been reading up on the tech specs etc and venues.... and from what I can understand:

I wouldn't want to enter into the LMA modified up to 1750cc as I will be racing the nuts with Bike engines shoved in Mini's and Corsa's etc !! With such hi revs and p/w ratio my poor ECO-TEC wouldn't stand a chance... so if it were LMA - I presume I'd be aiming for Class E Production Modified up to 1600cc ?

LMA seems to have a wider selection of venues and they are in the central England region including the outer edge of Wales ! what a journey that would be for me out on the East Coast :(

BARC DMN looks like a good formula and I'd be suited to Class D with my multi valve 1600cc or upgrade to Class C by Supercharging it. It also has my beloved Brands Hatch featured 3x in 2008. The 3x journey's down to Lydden is a pain though. Its a shame that Donnington isn't included in the DMN season.

Also in the DMN I assume if I went with sequential and exposed myself to the 50% multiplication factor - I'd also need to go with forced induction to ensure I can keep with the big block Class B guys running 4-6litre beasts ?

Question? It states that Brakes in DMN are unrestricted, does this include ABS ? as I saw under transmission that any form of traction control is prohibited and it can be argued that ABS helps with traction also ??

Have I got it right or am I missing anything ?

I really recommend the Classic Sports Car Club's "Tin Tops" series. A series of 40 minute mini enduros for one or two drivers, good track time and a good club to run with, unusually they put the competitor first! The entry fees are also very competitive. The track time alone makes it worth the travel, although they do run a Cadwell! Your 1600cc 16 Valve car would be eligible for Class B. No sequential gearboxes allowed, though (and no turbos) but not too many other restrictive regs. Must admit that I don't think that I'd go to the hassle, time, money and effort of converting a car when there are so many suitable and proven cars about that would be ideal club racers cars.

Why stick to the existing engine? You'd be hard pushed to be competitive in any formula! Most of the other cars in your class will be lightweight shells with more power than you'd get from your 1600 eco tec

The Vectra seems a very big (and therefore heavy) car to be running a 1600 lump in - 1600 16V is Corsa/Saxo territory and some of those really fly. If you're starting from scratch then you could pick up a 2 litre unit and drop that in - if you use an XE there are plenty of people about that provide bits that'll give you more grunt (but even then it's still a big car - in DMN you'd be up against Astra, Integra, 306, 205).

If you're absolutely commited to running the Vectra then maybe find a 2.5 V6 to throw under the bonnet (or 2 litre turbo), that'd up the grunt further and put you amongst the cossies.

I'm not sure the Vectra was available with the XE - so you're into engine swap rules then. Plus there's some very powerful and light 2l 16v cars (the 205 Mi's, before you even look at Vauxhall's with the same engine - Mk3 Astra, Mk2 Astra, or even Mk1 as it is only a head swap from 8v to 16v - all much, much lighter than the Vectra.)
If you look at the V6s then you could get an ex-Vectra challenge car for peanuts compared to what you'd pay to prep a road car.

1.6 16v - Grichie has one in his Class D DMN Nova. Probably near half the weight of a road Vectra!

If you're really keen on sorting out your own car, rather than buying an existing one, I'd suggest dropping the Vectra and starting with something else. Rather than building a car and then finding the championship, choose a championship and then pick a car that, if built well, could win in it.

Are there benefits to BARC or LMA or CSCC or TTRS over each other ?

Costs, circuits visited, competition, camaraderie. Some have higher levels of some of these than others, and everyone has their own opinion on which is best - depending on their viewpoint and what they place a priority on. Horses for courses!

Have you been to any of their meets this year? If not, maybe wait until next season starts, and pop into some paddocks and see which you get a good feeling about.

I'm not sure the Vectra was available with the XE - so you're into engine swap rules then.

You might be right there - I think the Vectra was ecotec engined? But if the op is planning on running a sequential box then I doubt an engine swap is going to the the only 'class busting' element here :)

Rather than building a car and then finding the championship, choose a championship and then pick a car that, if built well, could win in it.

Sound advice I'd say, gives you a bit more scope as well - take a look at the front running cars in the various classes for championships mentioned in this thread that may give you a few ideas.

Sitting on the side, I would doubt that you could build a race winning car with a sequential box from new for £20K, and that is doing all the work yourself and assuming you have the know how and workshop facilities.
My advice would be the same as others, buy a race proven car and adapt it to suit yourself.

If your'e determined to go with a Vectra, I'd go for a ready prepared ex Vectra race series car - You'd probably struggle in class B in the DMN, but would probably do well in T1 in the BARC Tintops.
If you didn't bend it a season shouldn't be that expensive - entries are relatively cheap ( nothing is cheap, but you know what I mean ) and they are a friendly bunch.
We have our last two races for the season at your beloved Brands this sunday if you can make it.
On the good side, if it fits into the Tintop rules, It will almost certainly fit a lot of other series too ! you could say go for the BARC Tintops, but do a few local races to keep your sponsor entertained ( what is a sponsor ?)
I've been mixing the BARC Tintops with a few rounds of another series this year - great fun.

Alan

Hi Andy, Copperbottom and Bert,
I am so glad that I joined the forum here and saved myself a load of hassle.

ok.. you've convinced me that I should drop the idea of using the Vectra unless I drop in a 2.5/turbo unit.

So I am on the lookout possibly to build a 205 /or buy a prebuilt DMN racer ;) I see Martin Johnston has his up for sale !

Why dont you consider a clio cup car? There are loads for sale under 20k, they are quick and in the right hands competative, i dont think any actually run in the DMN but im sure it would do ok. Only thing you may have to do to it is remove the rear spoiler.
Same argument for a Leon Cupra, but the newer cars are quite advanced with trick gear boxes (two pedals anyone?)
Here are some cars i would consider if i was you (isnt it nice playing with somone else's money?)
Group N integra (class C DMN, but the rear wing would have to be changed) http://www.racecarsdirect.com/listing/19875/Team_Dynamics_Honda_Integra_Type_R__GpN_racecar__BTCC_Replica.html
already been in the DMN Seat Ibiza
http://www.racecarsdirect.com/listing/20583/SEAT_IBIZA_CUPRA_18T_RACE_CAR.html
Clio?
http://www.racecarsdirect.com/listing/19848/Clio_Cup_Car.html
Leon
http://www.racecarsdirect.com/listing/20117/SEAT_LEON_CUPRA_R.html
more clios
http://www.racecarsdirect.com/listing/20693/2007_Clio_Cup_MINT.html
http://www.racecarsdirect.com/listing/20694/Clio_II.html
Or how about somthing German forn the weekend sir? I'm sure this would be ok for DMN, Class A though i imagine.
http://www.racecarsdirect.com/listing/17165/E36_M3_32_COUPE_APPROX_360BHP.html

Just some ideas, racecarsdirect is great for stuff for sale, as is motorsportads.co.uk.

Good luck!
Simon

Why dont you consider a clio cup car? There are loads for sale under 20k, ...........
Here are some cars i would consider if i was you (isnt it nice playing with somone else's money?).........

Good luck!
Simon

Thanks Simon.. LOL .... yes some good stuff to chew over here ;-) Its funny how I thought I'd set my mind straight on what I needed to do, but you guys have helped me take off my blinkers...

I have a budget around 20k for the year and hope you guys/dolls out there can point me in possible directions ??



20k budget for the year *fall's over and start's drooling*

it's fine for some.

20k budget for the year *fall's over and start's drooling*

it's fine for some.
That's about 10 times my budget:rotate::faint:

Leave a spare £2k for photos.

*clears throat*

;)

and of coarse testing

Leave a spare £2k for photos.

*clears throat*

;)

LOL... I'm sure they'll be "some" good pics required... and yes - testing for sure! I've 'strong armed' a client of mine and raiding my own piggy bank too! If I don't do it and get back into racing over the next year - I'll never get back to it.

There's a 50% chance of me making it down to Brands this Sunday... it'd be good to get in the pits and speak with a few before winter sets in and it all goes quiet.

That's about 10 times my budget:rotate::faint:

Thats what you tell the misses then is it;)

There's a 50% chance of me making it down to Brands this Sunday... it'd be good to get in the pits and speak with a few before winter sets in and it all goes quiet.

Come and say hello then, I will be the big bloke hanging around the Minis and wearing shorts.

yes come and introduce your self you should see big dave around 2 purple minis and a black mk1 astra.If you time it right you might get a cuppa, kettle will be on Jon

Come and say hello then, I will be the big bloke hanging around the Minis and wearing shorts.

OK thanks guys, if things work out I shall be sure to track you down and say hi. as for the misses!! - recovering after separating from the misses is whats taken me so bloody long to go racing again ! hehehehehe...:rotate:

yes come and introduce your self you should see big dave around 2 purple minis and a black mk1 astra.If you time it right you might get a cuppa, kettle will be on Jon

Nope had enough of purple minis now but there tea is real good:rotate:

And if you really want to race a Vectra:

http://www.racecarsdirect.com/listing/18135/V6_Vectra_Challenge_Car.html

or a car with a sequential 'box:

http://www.racecarsdirect.com/listing/20634/Skoda_Octavia_Cup.html

Both well within the budget.

Vectra Challenge car would be a good choice for you, there's 6 or 7 of them in the LMA Euro Saloons and attempts being made to have them run their own mini-series within the series for 2009

2008 is also only year I can remember when we didn't race at Cadwell, your "local" circuit

BTW, no bike engined cars in the LMA so if you did build your's up as modified, that would be the least of your problems. But LMA regs might be in for a bit of a revamp, realign some of the classes so get back in touch with me in a couple of weeks after we've arrived at 2009 regs

Vectra Challenge car would be a good choice for you, there's 6 or 7 of them in the LMA Euro Saloons and attempts being made to have them run their own mini-series within the series for 2009

2008 is also only year I can remember when we didn't race at Cadwell, your "local" circuit

BTW, no bike engined cars in the LMA so if you did build your's up as modified, that would be the least of your problems. But LMA regs might be in for a bit of a revamp, realign some of the classes so get back in touch with me in a couple of weeks after we've arrived at 2009 regs

OK... will do nyssa7 and thanks again Andy.

Vectra Challenge car would be a good choice for you,

TheDonSanSome; I know of an ex: Vectra Challenge car for sale with an extensive spares package - pm me if you want more...